Residency Creator
The SPACE Programme
Jo conceived of and created the SPACE Programme in 2008 for The Performance Corporation in collaboration with Hanna Slättne. This unique residency brings together artists from diverse disciplines for intensive collaborative and creative experimentation. Almost 100 Irish and International artists have benefitted from The SPACE Programme - Ireland’s longest running International Multi-Disciplinary Artists Residency. The SPACE Programme ethos does not require finished works to be generated as part of the residency. Each year, however, sees connections made and learnings that accelerate ideation, often resulting in works being presented subsequently. Vastly different outcomes emerge based on the unique combination of art forms and artists.
Since 2018 the programme has had a focus on Immersive Technologies, and has been running the heart of Paris at the Centre Culturel Irlandais since 2023. The most recent iteration had a focus on a pioneering journey into AI and immersive technologies for artistic exploration and collaboration, challenging the boundaries of human connection, imagination, and artistic expression in the digital age.
Conceived of and curated by Jo, this collaboration of Irish and international artistic partners, led by The Performance Corporation, developed Ireland’s a year long first multi-disciplinary, international artist’s residency for performing artists. The residency was created to build their practice, network, learn and showcase work with support from Carlow Arts Festival, Dublin Dance Festival, Irish National Circus Festival, Danseu Festival (Catalonia), ISACS Network and United Fall Dance. It included in-person collaboration opportunities in Ireland, as well as international residencies in 2021/2022
The project offered artistic development opportunities through mentoring, coaching, residencies and ‘in-progress’ presentation opportunities as part of the Carlow Arts Festival, Dublin Dance Festival, National Circus Festival and Danseu Festival. This project was an opportunity to deeply collaborate with artists from various performing art forms and areas of experience.
Residency Artists
Alison Clarke: Wicklow
Ali Clarke is a Bray born and based choreographer and dance artist.
Rachel Ní Bhraonáin: Waterford
Based in Waterford, Rachel is a performer and maker of multidisciplinary shows and short films.
Alessandra Azevedo: Dublin City
Alessandra is an Afro-Brazilian Dancer, Capoeira performer and instructor from Salvador, Bahia
Alan Howley: Dublin City
Alan is an actor and writer of theatre.
Elena Lalucat: Balearics
Elena Lalucat is a Choreographer working in physical theatre, movement and improvisation, visual theatre and puppeteering.
Bridget Ní Dhuinn: Kilkenny
Bridget is a carnival and street theatre designer of large scale puppetry, sculpture, mask making and performance.
Laia Santanach: Catalonia
Laia Santanach is a choreographer, dancer and pedagogue resident in Barcelona.
Beth McNinch: Wexford
Beth McNinch is a performer and musician and Director of Musicii Ireland.
Mark Buckeridge: Carlow
Mark is a visual artist whose practice incorporates performance, installation, painting, and sound with a focus on community, collective experience and music history.
Polina Shapkina: South Dublin County
Polina is a Russian born, Dublin reared, contemporary lyra and fire artist, performing solo and group acts across Ireland since 2016.
Emma Finegan: Kildare
Emma is a performing artist, theatre-maker, deviser and performer.